CROW TRIBE. 



325 



The round and open nest is formed of twigs and leaves, with a softer lining ; the 

 three or four eggs are of a bluish white ground-colour, which may often have a 

 reddish tinge, upon which are large blotches of brownish red or light chestnut- 

 brown. It is noteworthy that although these birds seem always to thrive in 

 captivity, yet their vocal powers in that state vary considerably, some specimens 

 pouring forth the full song, while others sing only in a subdued undertone. 



RED-BILLED, AND ALPINE CHOUGH (J nat. size). 



The two species of the genus Graculus, while resembling the 



The Choughs. . . * -.-". - 



true crows in form and coloration, diner in possessing long and pointed 



wings, as well as in the comparatively slender beak. Unlike other crows, they have 

 a smooth metatarsus, and the feet and beak brightly coloured. Of the two species, 

 the common or red-billed chough (G. eremita) 1 ranges from Eastern Europe to China 

 and Eastern Siberia, being no less at home in the deserts of Ladak than on the cliffs 



1 When the generic name Graculus is adopted for these birds, the common species is generally termed G. graculus, 

 but this is a combination the Editor cannot admit, and the alternative Linnean name is therefore taken. 



